How to create a rock garden in a container – to display anywhere in your home or yard

If you love the look of a rockery, but don't have enough space to build one in your small yard or balcony, have you ever thought of creating one in a container?

There is something utterly absorbing about collections of sempervivums, succulents and other miniature alpines, surrounded by iridescent clusters of gravel. You can really admire the incredible detail and intricacies of these rock garden plants when seen up close. I made a miniature rock garden with my children last summer, and as well as being a super easy project to do with kids, they were fascinated with the look and feel of these intriguing plants.

This kind of creative project also lends also itself to many different styles and looks, that can be achieved through your container and planting choices. For instance, you could sit a modern terracotta bowl on a table to create a stylish feature in a front porch, or choose for a more rustic look by using an old zinc bucket or disused bricks. I've even seen entire vintage bath tubs planted with a mass of succulents. So, for rock garden ideas on a small scale, here are all the steps and kit you need to make your own container rock garden.

Essential kit for making a miniature container rockery

• A container of your choice: pots that work well for this kind of project include shallow planters, cement troughs, upcycled bricks or ceramic bowls. The key is to remember it will need drainage holes. This shallow ceramic bowl from Walmart has a modern, sleek aesthetic and would work well, but there is a huge range of pots and containers you could select.
• Some crocks or bits of broken pot.
• A small trowel - this small tool set from Amazon is exactly what I used for this project with my children.
• A rock garden in a container will need potting soil designed for alpines and succulents, such as this fast draining potting mix by Miracle-Gro from Walmart.
• A selection of small rockery and miniature alpine plants, such as succulents, sempervivums, and sedums - this mini succulent selection from Amazon is amazing value.
• Gravel, such as this succulent gravel from Amazon, or moss.

How to create a rock garden in a container: 6 steps

• First select your container of choice. Old-fashioned butler sinks and terracotta containers always look attractive, while flat, wide containers known as pans are also ideal because their lack of depth means you use less potting soil - so plants won't be sitting in cold, waterlogged compost. Ensure your container has drainage holes.
• Place crocks at the base of the container and add potting soil to within 2in of the top, to allow room for plant growth and watering. Use a potting soil specifically designed for cacti and succulents, such as this organic Back to the Roots mix that is a best-seller on Amazon, as it will contain lots of grit to boost drainage.
• Whilst they are still in their pots, set your plants on the container until you find an arrangement you are happy with. Before planting, stand them in water until the root balls are saturated.
• Slip the plants from their pots, carefully tease out the roots and plant at the same depth as they were growing.
• Water well then add a layer of decorative topping, like this best-selling Mosser Lee pearl stone soil cover from Amazon. Alternatively, add moss to any gaps in the planting to create that authentic rockery feel.
• Make sure your container has good drainage. If you can, raise it on feet so that any excess water can escape.

FAQs

Could my plants outgrow a miniature rockery?

A plant will usually grow to the size of its pot, so miniature succulents, for example, planted in a small container won't normally get too big for your display. It is, of course, worth keeping an eye out for any pup plants that emerge, as you can remove them to avoid your rockery container becoming too congested, and pot them on to create new plants for free. You might also want to prune back any plants that are starting to look a bit on the larger side, so that they remain in-keeping with your miniature rock garden.

Are there any other ways of growing alpines in a small space?

If you have a small outdoor space, consider creating a crevice garden as a way of growing alpines. These are easy to build; you set stone slabs vertically into a deep base of sand and infill between them with free-draining peat-free general purpose potting soil and grit.

Crevice gardens are easier to maintain than traditional larger rockeries because weeds can be crowded out by your choice of plants, and the upright stones help to keep the soil cooler in summer and warmer in winter. They also help reduce the rate at which moisture evaporates.

A miniature rock garden might just be the perfect addition to your balcony garden ideas. Depending on your choice of container, it may be heavy when planted, so it's a good idea to place it where you want it to grow before you start planting - ideally somewhere that is sheltered and gets a lot of sun.